Articles tagged with Infectious Disease Transmission
A new study found that frequent COVID surveillance testing protected nursing home residents by detecting infected staff earlier, disrupting transmission chains. The research showed that high testing frequency facilities had clinically meaningful reductions in resident cases and deaths, particularly before vaccine availability.
A new study by Emory University researchers found that asymptomatic individuals account for a significant proportion (74%) of dengue infections in an Amazonian city. The 'super spreader' spaces, where infected people frequent, are crucial in predicting and controlling outbreaks.
Researchers analysed wastewater from 10 cities to detect chemical and biological markers of health, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals and disease-causing viruses. The study found that analysing wastewater on a large scale could spot new outbreaks of diseases in communities early on.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine discovered that bacteria causing vaginal infections can also be present in men and transmitted through heterosexual sex. The study found that only men who reported having vaginal sex carried the bacteria, with detectable presence for at least two months after intercourse.
A recent study found that malaria control programs in Amazonian Peru reduced the disease by 78% but saw a rebound when funding was cut, driven by climate change. Climate change has exacerbated malaria transmission, with rising temperatures and intense rainfalls contributing to the resurgence of the mosquito-borne disease.
Cases of Candida auris, a highly contagious fungal infection, rose drastically between 2019 and 2021, with an increase in echinocandin-resistant cases. The findings emphasize the need for improved detection and infection control practices to prevent the spread of C auris.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside have discovered a way to deactivate mosquito sperm, preventing them from swimming to or fertilizing eggs. This breakthrough could help control populations of Culex mosquitoes that transmit infectious diseases like encephalitis and West Nile Virus.
A study analyzed news reports on Brazilian deer species between 2011 and 2021, finding that news coverage gave different weights to threats compared to the IUCN Red List. News items properly identified main threats like poaching and habitat loss but underestimated livestock diseases and overestimated road kill.
A new study from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University found that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was associated with the deaths of over 330 New England harbor and gray seals. The virus was detected in birds and seals on the same beach, highlighting a potential route of transmission.
A study found that malaria parasites invest more in sexual reproduction and less in asexual replication during low-transmission environments. Low LPC levels in human blood plasma are associated with increased gametocyte production and transmission.
A new study from Osaka University found that COVID-19 TV coverage significantly increased hand hygiene compliance from 5% to over 70% in a matter of months. The researchers tracked the correlation between TV coverage and hand hygiene, finding a strong statistical connection between added airtime and increased compliance.
A new study found that New York City rats are susceptible to Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2. The researchers also demonstrated a possible link between the virus and rat populations in the city's sewer systems.
A new study analyzing household transmission data found that the top 20% of infected individuals cause three times more infections than the average person, highlighting individual differences in infectiousness.
Researchers developed a model to predict how locally tailored pandemic control measures can halt disease transmission and reduce societal burden. The study suggests that targeted interventions in subnational regions could have been just as effective as national lockdowns, resulting in fewer hospital admissions.
A global study aims to better understand the burden of Human papillomavirus (HPV) among girls and women in low- and lower middle-income countries. The study will inform effective strategies to prevent infection and introduce HPV vaccine into national programs, protecting the health of girls and women and reducing rates of cervical cancer.
Researchers have uncovered the ancient roots of a gene in wheat that provides resistance to the devastating Wheat Yellow Mosaic Virus, which causes significant economic losses. The discovery could lead to more resistant wheat cultivars, increased crop yields, and reduced use of harmful fungicides.
The U.S. laboratory system needs improvement to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis, tracking, and response to infectious diseases like COVID-19 and Mpox. The authors suggest government and private institutions collaborate to implement systemic changes, including federal funding and public-private partnerships.
Researchers have developed a potential treatment for autoimmune encephalitis by creating an NMDA receptor fusion construct that neutralizes pathogenic antibodies. This innovative approach has shown promise in reducing signal transmission to neurons and may lead to improved treatment options for patients with this rare and serious disease.
Researchers aim to optimize food bacterial detection using fluorescence detection, reducing detection time and improving sensitivity. The goal is to prevent spread of foodborne pathogens and provide a safe food supply.
A review of studies found that rates of presumptive treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea vary widely, with some areas treating up to 84% of patients while others treated less than 4%. The disparity highlights the need for standardized treatment guidelines and consideration of social determinants of health.
Researchers found that airborne particles carrying a mammalian coronavirus remain infectious for twice as long in drier air, thanks to the protective effect of saliva. The study suggests that managing indoor air filtration and ventilation is crucial to mitigate airborne disease spread.
New research on malaria-infected bonobos shows that the infection harms them, too, with symptoms including fever and increased mortality risk. The study also finds that bonobos have a protective variant of an immune gene similar to one found in humans, suggesting a selective advantage for those individuals.
A new Stanford-led study uses satellite and land use data to predict malaria outbreaks in Madagascar, providing insights into the disease's distribution and burden. The research identifies rural areas with flooded rice fields as high-risk zones for malaria transmission.
Researchers analyzed data on European travellers arriving from Africa between 2015 and 2019, finding malaria as the most common arthropod-borne disease. The study highlights the importance of using travellers' health data to complement local surveillance systems in Africa.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against routine serologic screening for genital herpes simplex virus infection, even in symptomatic individuals. The lifelong nature of HSV infection means there is no cure, but antiviral medications can provide clinical benefits to those experiencing symptoms.
Researchers estimated that three doses of Comirnaty and CoronaVac vaccines were 48% and 30% effective, respectively, in preventing Omicron infection. Boosters improved efficacy to 69% and 56%, but protection waned over time.
Scientists have developed a mouse model of mpox virus, revealing differences in virulence among genetic groups. The new model shows that the current outbreak strain, clade IIb, has a significantly lower mortality rate than previous strains.
In a study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, researchers found that mandrill females pass on hygienic practices to their daughters, reducing parasite infection. This social transmission of hygiene has potential consequences for infectious disease dynamics in primate groups.
A severe begomovirus-satellite DNA disease complex has been detected in okra fields in the lower Rio Grande Valley area of Texas, posing a significant threat to cotton production. The complex involves the exotic cotton leaf curl Gezira virus and its associated satellite DNA molecules.
A real-time visual sensing system developed by researchers at Incheon National University can detect overcrowding with an accuracy of 96.55% in real-time. The system uses drones to capture footage, analyze it using a modified ResNet architecture, and feed the data into a social monitoring system.
A team of researchers used computational fluid dynamics to simulate the 3D spatial transmission of COVID-19 within a hospital isolation room. They found that the area above a patient's bed at a height of 0.7 to 2 meters is the highest risk zone for infection.
Researchers at Rice University have developed light-activated nanoscale drills that can kill pathogenic fungi, providing a potential new treatment option for fungal infections. The molecular machines target the mitochondria of fungal cells, disrupting cellular metabolism and leading to cell death.
A Rutgers researcher has analyzed data from Mexico's Ministry of Health to identify dengue fever hotspots, highlighting areas where severe outbreaks occur. The study found that lower socioeconomic status increases risk of dengue fever and that DENV-2 is the deadliest serotype.
A genomic study of the Seattle 2017-2022 Shigella outbreak revealed its origin as international travelers from areas where Shigella was common. The study also found that multi-drug resistant Shigella has become a growing global health concern, primarily affecting men who have sex with men and those experiencing homelessness.
A cohort study of over 600 persons with non-MRI-conditional implantable cardioverter defibrillators found that these devices continue to appropriately treat detected tachyarrhythmias after MRI scans. The findings suggest that patients with non-MRI-conditional ICDs can safely undergo MRI exams without compromising device function.
A new study finds COVID-19 was the top underlying cause of death from infectious disease among children and young people aged 0–19 years. The risk of death from COVID-19 was substantially lower compared to other age groups, but still a significant concern, with over 1,300 child deaths attributed to the virus in the US.
Researchers successfully treated a young man with recurrent non-gonococcal urethritis caused by Mycoplasma genitalium using chloramphenicol. The patient showed improvement after 14 days of treatment, despite initial failure with first and second-line antibiotics.
Researchers identified 7 key symptoms of long COVID, including heart issues and joint pain, in a study of 52,461 patients. The findings could help healthcare providers diagnose and treat the condition more effectively.
Researchers found that measles virus mutations in its fusion protein allow it to infect nerve cells, leading to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. The team's discovery sheds light on the evolutionary mechanisms of viruses like coronaviruses and herpesviruses.
Researchers used CO2 sensors to assess airborne transmission risk in over 60 areas in a residential aged-care home. They found that staff areas were at high risk of transmission, but implementing ventilation measures reduced this risk.
Researchers found that high levels of mucosal IgA antibodies in the airways protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection for at least eight months, with a 90% lower risk of re-infection. Participants with prior infections generated stronger mucosal immune responses to Omicron breakthrough infections.
A systematic review found that livestock production is associated with improved height-for-age Z scores and weight-for-length/height Z scores in under-five children. However, it also increases the risk of disease transmission through water, food, and insects.
A recent study by University of Missouri researcher Jake Haselswerdt suggests that partisan beliefs do not overshadow how people perceive the severity of COVID-19 in their communities. Local public health information appears to get through to individuals, regardless of their political leanings.
Researchers discovered host proteins APOBEC3 can aid HIV's latency, a major hurdle to cure research. The finding raises questions about the role of these proteins and potential ways to block their activity to inhibit viral persistence.
A recent study found that medical professionals in Illinois were relatively knowledgeable about diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease, but lacked information on other tick-borne diseases. The researchers are now designing a continuing education course to educate practitioners on current ranges of ticks and risk of disease.
A recent study found a significant decrease in influenza activity in China during the 2020-2022 COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in winter and spring. The observed reduction in influenza seasonality may be attributed to everyday COVID-19 public health interventions.
A study in California prisons found that recent vaccination and boosters significantly reduced infectiousness of COVID-19, with a 11% decrease per additional dose. Prior infection also provided protection, with a 23% risk of transmission compared to 33% for those who had never been infected.
A study found that children exhale fewer small particles, which are less likely to spread diseases like COVID-19. Larger particles produced by adults and children can transmit infections equally well, highlighting the importance of wearing high-efficiency masks for disease prevention.
A study found that acidification of aerosols post-exhalation significantly impacts viral load. Influenza A viruses are inactivated within minutes, while SARS-CoV-2 requires days at typical indoor pH levels.
A new study published in The Journal of Rural Health found that urban men who have sex with men (MSM) are more likely to get vaccinated and tested for Mpox than their rural counterparts. The study also revealed that rural MSM perceived themselves as less susceptible to the disease and had lower intention to be vaccinated.
A North Carolina State University study found that mosquitoes harbor diverse bacterial communities, including those associated with human diseases. The research revealed greater bacterial diversity internally than externally, suggesting that mosquitoes may transfer pathogenic bacteria through physical contact or defecation.
A new study examined the impact of Medicaid funding cessation on neonatal circumcision rates in California. The research found a significant decrease in circumcision rates, particularly among low-income families, which can exacerbate existing health disparities such as lower rates of sexually transmitted infections. The findings highli...
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that nearly 90% of deceased individuals at a Zambian morgue were infected with COVID-19, contradicting previous assertions that the virus spared Africa. The study suggests that the reported death toll in Africa is substantially higher than official records indicate.
A global study reveals that antimicrobial resistance genes in bacteria are driven by various factors, including geographic regions and hosts. The research identifies key genes conferring resistance to critically important drugs, shedding light on the mechanisms of transmission and the need for collaborative interventions.
A new study suggests that expanding Medicaid coverage in Houston, combined with increased use of PrEP and antiviral medications, could lead to a significant decline in new HIV infections among young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. The model projects a potential decrease in HIV incidence rate to almost 50% with...
New research reveals that bat virus relatives of MERS-CoV efficiently bind to bat ACE2 receptors as an entry point into cells. However, these viruses only weakly bind to human ACE2 cell receptors and are not known to cause disease outbreaks in people.
A large cohort study in Tanzania found that antiviral treatment can reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child by 99.5%. The study suggests that achieving the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating mother-to-child transmission is possible with modern antiviral drugs.
The study of 12,600 adults in Hong Kong found that viral rebound was not associated with increased risk of mortality. Novel oral antivirals like molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir may be effective treatments for more patients with COVID-19 in the early phase of the infection.
A research team at Tohoku University developed a batteryless device that can detect COVID-19 particles in the air using magnetostrictive composite plates. The device operates without batteries and transmits signals wirelessly, making it suitable for integration with IoT technologies.
Researchers used computer simulations to show that SARS-CoV-2 variants can attach to host cells in both bats and humans using their spike proteins. The study's findings suggest a significant risk of mammalian cross-species infectivity, contradicting initial expectations of reduced transmission.